Presidents Day Weekend Events 2017: 7 Things To Do In NYC For The Long Weekend

Students and adults are kicking back for the long weekend ahead and there will be no shortage of activities and events to participate in this Presidents Day weekend. From museum-hopping and store sales to parties and protests, here are several events to investigate for Presidents Day weekend.

1. Brooklyn Botanic Gardens: New York will experience a bout of unseasonably fine weather this weekend -- seize the opportunity and head over to Brooklyn to check out the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens. It will give you a much-needed dose of outdoor time, and it will be the perfect day trip for the entire family. The gardens are typically closed during the winter months, with the exception of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Presidents Day Monday.

2. Picnic In Washington Square Park: If you’re looking for a more leisurely activity (and to capitalize on the decent February weather), have a picnic lunch at Washington Square Park this weekend.

3. Shop The Presidents Day Sales: Stay in your pajamas and take advantage of one of the biggest long weekend shopping events of the year. Most retailers will have exclusive sales online. Check out sales for Amazon, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Best Buy, Crate & Barrel, among others.

4. "Saving Washington" Exhibit at the New York Historical Society: Get up-to-speed on your presidential history and stop by the New York Historical Society to learn about the unsung first ladies and their contributions to their husbands’ administrations. Saving Washington will specifically focus on Dolly Madison and the exhibit will display an assortment of documents, houseware and clothing.

5. Not My President’s Day Rallies: There’s always the alt-presidents day weekend celebration approach: A rally. A series of rallies protesting the “un-American policies of the current White House” will take place in major cities across the country on Monday afternoon. In New York, the rally will gather Monday at noon at Columbus Circle.

6. Washington’s Birthday Ball: Step back in time and party like it’s 1789. Dancers and attendees will be dressed in colonial garb and offering dance lessons at the Mount Vernon Hotel Museum and Garden, beginning Sunday at 1 p.m. Refreshments and a museum tour will also be on the roster.

7. A Sunday Roast at the Beatrice Inn: For the foodies, stop by the Beatrice Inn for a cozy Sunday Roast meal. A Sunday Roast is a classically colonial way to celebrate the weekend, as it was a popular mealtime option in the 1770s for families returning from church services. Menu items include potted rabbit, scotch eggs with lamb sausage and sticky buns and, of course, a prime rib roast.